By Our Correspondent
Members of the Rivers State Elders Council have criticized individuals who fault the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, over his recent comment on a former governor of the state, Dr Peter Odili.
No fewer than 45 members of the group, who jointly signed a document to that effect, berated a group of ‘concerned elders’ led by a former governor of the state, Sir Celestine Omehia, who demanded that Wike apologise to Odili.
The Rivers Elders Council, led by respected elder statesman and accomplished technocrat Chief Ferdinand Alabrabra, includes Chief Emma Anyanwu, Chief O.C.J Okocha, SAN, Sen. Barinada Mpigi, Senator Allwell Onyesoh, Chief Kingsley Chinda, Chief Victor Giadom, Sen. Magnus Ngei Abe, Sen. George Thompson Sekibo, and Rt. Hon. Chibudom Nwuche, Sen. Olaka Nwogu, Chief Ken Chikere, Chief Frank Owhor, Chief Kenneth Kobani, and Amb. Desmond Akawor.
Others are Chief Hon. Boma Iyaye, Prof. Zaccheus Adango, Chief Wogu Boms, Chief Felix Obuah, Rt. Hon. Ikunyi Owaji-Ibani, Chief Hon. Ejor N Ejor, Chief Hon. Wisdom Wakama, Hon. Dumnamene Dekor, Hon. Felix Nwaeke, Hon. Kelechi Nwogu, Professor Itotenaan Henry Ogiri, Chief Tony Okocha, Chief Chukwuemeka Aaron, Chief Emmanuel Deeyah, Chief Dr. Sampson Parker, Chief Ezemonye Ezekiel-A Madi, Engr. Chukwuemeka Woke, Chief Fred Kpakol, Alabo Dakorinama George-Kelly, Chief Marcus Nle-Ejii, Hon. Isobo Jack, Chief Igo Aguma, Chief Hon. Chinyere Igwe, Barr. Rufus N. Godwins, Chief Pleasant Braide, Chief Ephraim Nwuzi, Chief Nyema Weli, Dr. Benibo George, Chief Chidi Amadi, DSSRS, and Chief Allwell Ihunda.
According to the elders’ council, Odili deserved Wike’s reaction because he deliberately disrespected the Minister.
The group described Omehia’s comment and his likes as unfortunate.
“They know very well that Nyesom Wike, from his tenure as Minister of Education to Governor of Rivers State and even as Minister of the FCT, had accorded Dr Peter Odili and his wife boundless honours and very high respect. Dr Peter Odili and his wife can attest to that on several occasions, as reported by several media.
“It is also noteworthy that despite Dr Peter Odili‘s active role in the current Rivers State crisis, his fatherly guidance of Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s activities, laced with derogatory statements against Nyesom Wike at every outing, the Minister of the FCT has never made any adverse remarks against Dr Peter Odili, all because of the deep respect the Minister had for him.
“But for Dr Peter Odili to descend so low as to make such a disparaging statement about Chief Nyesom Wike at a Christmas carol service in the presence of God and an atmosphere of love and goodwill to all persons was an indiscretion that should be deprecated and condemned as totally unacceptable.
“Dr Odili, an elder and former governor of Rivers State, should not have thrown decorum to the wind in making statements in his quest to please the governor, who was his Special Guest of Honour at the event, no matter what the incentive may have been,” the group said.
The group further urged the concerned elders to summon the courage to advise Odili to be more circumspect in his utterances in the future instead of playing their master’s script to remain relevant in their political situation.
